A new look for Tshwane’s website

Check out this space on Saturday, 17 December 2022, when we unveil the website’s new look and features.

The revamped version, which is service-oriented, customer-centric and easy to navigate, offers new features that include reporting service interruptions and downloading forms. The idea of introducing a user-friendly and yet dynamic website aims to reduce traffic at the City’s customer care walk-in centres and minimise telephone calls channelled through the call centre agents of the Customer Relations Management Department.

An elated service-delivery-oriented City Manager, Johann Mettler, says: “The introduction of the revamped website this coming Saturday is a ground-breaking initiative aimed at improving the interface with the residents. This is work in progress; we will gradually implement the new version in phases. This is the first phase; early next year we will implement the second phase and ultimately the third one. We will keep on introducing new features and effect changes as and when it becomes necessary.”

The advantage of migrating the hosting of the website from the SharePoint system to the WordPress system is that the current SharePoint-hosted website was customised in such a way that if the City wanted to effect structural changes, it had to rely on a service provider, which came at a cost. Simply put, with WordPress, we will be able to effect changes as the City – at no cost – as there will not be a third party or middleman involved.

In a bid to improve the functionality of the website, the City has introduced the use of icons that describe the content behind tabs, such as municipal services, service interruptions and power alerts, including social media platforms, in order to enable the City to engage with customers from a customer-relations point of view.

The landing page of the new website will feature an email inbox meant to solicit feedback from the City’s customers. This will assist the City to gauge customers’ experience with the new website with a view to improving service delivery offerings. Residents and/or customers are urged to channel their views to feedback@tshwane.gov.za

Since this is work in progress, the public is urged to be exercise patience and understanding, as any transitional period may involve technical glitches.

As of midnight on Friday, 16 December 2022, the current website will cease to exist, and the new one will become operational with effect from Saturday, 17 December 2022.